WASHINGTON – Doctors are getting a new way to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome – and influential government advisers say it’s time to replace that hated name, too, to show it’s a real and debilitating disease. The Institute of Medicine earlier this month called on doctors … Read more

Congenital heart defects are the most common kinds of birth defects, affecting 8 out of every 1,000 babies born in the United States. These structural problems with the heart can be discovered before a child is born using ultrasound, soon after birth, during childhood or teen years, and sometimes not until adulthood. How early they are discovered usually depends on how severe the defect is. Ultrasound, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, blood tests, physical exam, medical history and family history can be used to diagnose heart defects. Sometimes other additional tests are needed. In infants, congenital heart defect can cause blue coloration, very low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, feeding problems or poor weight gain. Read more

DEAR DOCTOR K: I have leukemia. Thankfully, a family member was a bone marrow match. Can you tell me what to expect during my bone marrow transplant procedure? DEAR READER: A bone marrow transplant can be a life-saving treatment. To understand how it works, you need to understand how blood cells are created. And what leukemia is. Read more

A skin patch that experts say could be a breakthrough treatment for peanut-allergy sufferers appears to be both safe and effective, according to an early stage clinical trial that involved Seattle-area children, among others, to test the potentially lifesaving technology. The Viaskin Peanut patch made by the French biotech firm DBV Technologies boosted the amount of peanut protein it took to elicit an allergic reaction by at least 10-fold, particularly in kids younger than 12. Read more

At Martin O’Riordan’s cardiology practice in the Philadelphia area, it happens weekly. A 45- or 50-year-old patient mentions that her father had a heart attack at the same age. Worried that the same fate will befall her despite being in good health, she takes baby aspirin every day. Read more

DEAR DOCTOR K: I have a terrible fear of heights, dogs and public speaking. My sister calls them “phobias” and says I should seek help. How do I know if my fears are normal, or if I need treatment? DEAR READER: We all have things we worry about or are afraid of. And with most of them, we’re right to be fearful. But in people with a phobia, the fear is persistent, excessive and unrealistic. As many as one in 10 people suffer from phobias at some time during their lives. Read more

Can we doctors overtest? You bet we can. Is there a downside to overtesting? Of course there is. Can you, a patient, possibly know if a test is good for you or not? Yes, you can. Health care statistics show we could save billions of dollars by smart testing. So why aren’t doctors doing this? Because we’ve been trained to think more testing is better patient care. And because you, dear patient, usually want that test. Read more

DEAR DOCTOR K: There is a history of schizophrenia in my family. I’d like to learn more about it. Can it be treated? DEAR READER: Schizophrenia is a long-lasting psychotic disorder. People with the condition have a hard time recognizing reality, thinking logically and behaving naturally in social situations. Having a parent or sibling with schizophrenia increases your risk of developing it. Read more

DEAR DOCTOR K: What are urgent care centers? Are they the same as emergency rooms? DEAR READER: They definitely are not the same. Emergency rooms are for true emergencies – even though many people go to emergency rooms for quite minor problems. Typically, emergency rooms are attached to hospitals, because patients with true emergencies usually need to be hospitalized after their treatment in the emergency room. Read more

DEAR DOCTOR K: I recently had a very painful kidney stone. What can I do to prevent another? DEAR READER: Kidney stones are hard, chemical deposits that form inside the kidney chambers where urine is collected. Urine passes from the kidney down a narrow tube (the ureter) and into the bladder. If a stone gets carried into the narrow ureter, it can get stuck. This can cause severe pain, bloody urine, nausea and vomiting. Read more

Nancy Curtis’ first chemotherapy treatment at Spokane Valley Cancer Center was Halloween 2013. Terrified and anxious, she sat waiting for the needle, infusion of chemicals and the unknown. Then a woman offered her an impromptu reiki treatment. Read more

Have you ever wondered how fluoride helps strengthen teeth? We all have naturally occurring bacteria in our mouths that form a thin coating on the teeth called plaque. It increases after you eat food with sugars and starches in them like candy, milk, bread, pasta, soda, juice, cake and crackers. These bacteria break down sugars and starches and produce acids that remove the minerals in the outer layer, the enamel, of your teeth. If the minerals are not replaced, a cavity may form, which may need to be filled to prevent further damage, stop pain and prevent infection. Fluoride helps replace those minerals. Fluoride also fights cavities by making it more difficult for the bacteria to stick to teeth. Read more

DEAR DOCTOR K: I’m 68. I’ve jogged regularly for decades, but I’ve recently developed a touch of arthritis in my knees. Will continuing to run make my knees wear out faster? DEAR READER: Having mild arthritis in the knees should not stop you from running. And, in case you were wondering, running probably did not create the problem in the first place. Read more

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to embrace a more healthful lifestyle. What new diet book should you buy? Should you join a CrossFit gym? Do you need a tracker, and if so, which one? And – gulp! – how much is this all going to cost? It’s enough to make you plop back down on the couch and reach for the remote. Here are five ways to improve your health starting today that might even save you money in the long run. Read more

Local military veterans can get $10 dental care and free physical therapy through an event sponsored by Eastern Washington University’s Dental Hygiene and Physical Therapy programs. Dental students will provide cleanings, X-rays, dental exams and assessments while the physical therapy students will provide screens and recommendations for veterans who may experience neck or back pain, or loss of balance. Read more